Bensalem Township Police Department

The Bensalem Police Department is the police department in Bensalem Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. It was established in 1951. The department has about 100 sworn officers and fifty support employees. It is one of the fifteen largest police departments in Pennsylvania.

Bensalem Police Department
AbbreviationBPD
MottoProtect with Honor, Serve with Pride
Agency overview
Formed1951
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionBucks County, Pennsylvania, United States
General nature
Operational structure
HeadquartersBensalem Township Municipal Building 2400 Byberry Rd
Police Officers100+
Agency executive
  • Frederick Harran, Director of Public Safety
Departments
List
  • Patrol Division
  • Motor Patrol Division
  • k-9
  • Accident Investigation
  • Criminal Investigations
  • Special Victims Unit
  • Special Investigations Unit
  • SWAT
  • Honor Guard
  • PAL
  • Explorers
  • Townwatch
Website
bensalempolice.org

Present-day Bensalem Police Department

The department's staff includes a deputy director and five sworn officers in the rank of lieutenant. Frederick Harran, Bensalem’s director of public safety believed the "number of officers is still low compared to other towns of similar geographic and population sizes".[1]

In December 2019, Bensalem Police hosted a public safety luncheon toy drive where toys are collected for needy families in the township.[2]

Divisions

The department includes a number of divisions; Patrol Division, with about 64 officers. Motor Patrol, with five officers who use motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles. K-9 with five officers handling five dogs. Explorers, a branch of the Boy Scouts of America.

Twitter Presence

In April 2021 the Police Department posted an infamous tweet asking members of the public to submit photographs (via a website) of children on bicycles who were "causing traffic issues". The tweet and the policy received widespread condemnation.

History

Established in 1951 when Bensalem Township had 11,500 residents, the Bensalem Police began with one car and two police officers. By the 1970s, the department had grown rapidly numbering about 29 officers. Over the years, the department has retired over 28 police dogs, and has grown to over 100 officers. It is ranked in the top 15 in Pennsylvania police departments.

Officers killed in the line of duty
Officer Date of death Details
James Kenneth Armstrong April 15, 1975 Shot [3]
Robert N. Yezzi August 12, 1980 Struck by car [3]

References
  1. Quann, Peg (2019-12-06). "Bensalem approves budget with no tax increase". The Intelligencer. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  2. Quann, Peg (2019-12-10). "Bensalem to host public safety luncheon, toy drive". Bucks County Courier Times. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  3. Officer Down Memorial Page, retrieved 15 January 2013
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